Poll: Obama Up By 6 Points In Minnesota

President Barack Obama holds a smaller-than-expected 6-point lead over Mitt Romney in Minnesota, according to a new poll from SurveyUSA.

In the statewide poll, conducted on behalf of ABC affiliate KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities, Obama earns the support of 46 percent of likely voters in Minnesota, while Romney trails with 40 percent. The poll shows a much closer race in the North Star State than previous polls. In SurveyUSA's previous poll from early May, Obama led Romney, 52 percent to 38 percent. A survey from left-leaning firm Public Policy Polling in early June showed Obama with a 15-point edge over Romney.

Democrats have carried Minnesota in the previous nine presidential elections, and Obama won the state in 2008 over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) by 10 points.